Fast forward to the early 90’s and things at Volkswagen had snowballed. Following the success of the MKi & ii, the engineers had cooked up a whole new engine concept for the MKiii Golf, the VR6. A naturally aspirated 2.8 litre 12v engine was the first 6-cylinder to be fitted to a Golf. Despite poor reviews about the sluggish performance, journalists could at least agree that it sounded awesome. It would be the start of great things to come.

By the time the MKiv R32 stormed onto the scene, a larger and more powerful 3.2 litre 24v VR6 would provide the blueprint for what followed. The R32 was no comfortable cruiseliner like its MKiii predecessor, this 237bhp thug meant business. The introduction of a Haldex all-wheel-drive system helped to improve handling and put down the extra power, becoming a cult classic among young petrolheads.

It would be doing Volkswagen a disservice to assume the R32 is just a souped up GTI. That would be too easy. The 2.0litre turbocharged item in the GTI has been left on the shelf. A revised 3.2 litre VR6 lump provides a powerful but usable 247bhp and 320N⋅m of torque to propel the silver hatchback down the road, capable of a top speed of 155mph and a 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds.

Sporting bigger brakes and uprated suspension with a fast and intuitive 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) lifted straight from the first generation Audi TT, it was understandably a big hit in the US where drivers are more inclined to forgo the 6-speed manual. But here in the UK, the silky smooth stick shift remains the one to cop for both drivers and collectors.

Styling is understated, in true Volkswagen fashion. Like the MKiv R32 that came before, there was little to elevate this new R32 from the GTI model of the same generation. An aluminium front grill, colour-coded side skirts, 18” alloy wheels and twin exit exhaust pipes protrude from a subtly reworked rear bumper. You could be excused for overlooking the R32 on the street, but to those in the know it is widely regarded as a thoroughbred Greyhound masquerading as a faithful Labrador.

With the iconic MKi Golf GTI already a proud part of our collection, it was a no-brainer that we should celebrate its legacy by welcoming to the fold the last Golf to house a 6-cylinder engine ever again.